craftsman 12 inch bandsaw

stickman · #1 09-22-2007, 07:11 AM

Just picked up a craftsman 12 inch bandsaw.got this for free they were throwing it out at work.it sat in a little machine room for 40 yrs with very little use.maybe used once or twice a year to cut pvc pipe and small metal pipe.they told me it was no good because the band kept coming off and it was dangerous.

It came with all the original paper work (assembly instructions,operating instructions,part lists etc.)thats how I know how old it is the copyright is 1968.

I took the cover off and it looked like the band was not riding in the center of the pulley on the top pulley so I followed the instructions and took a straight edge and made sure the pulleys were running true.It was a pain in the rear I had to take the table off and play around with it for about 2hours.

I think I got if tuned up properly .I cut a piece of scrap ply wood to check it out and it appeared to be good to go.I guess the real test will be after it is in use for awhile.

I'm hoping because of its age that it might be a better saw than the ones they sell today.I read some of the posts about bandsaws and it seems like craftsmans are not the greatest.Oh well free is free.

I need to make a fence for it or buy one somewhere.any sugestions on how to make one or where to buy one.or another input would be great.

thanks

BRIAN D · #2 09-22-2007, 08:38 AM

Nice find I'm sure youll get good use. Fence wise I made mine by using T rail for fence to track in on side of table & hard wood for fence. Hope it helps. Good Carving Brian D.

Bob_in_TN · #3 09-22-2007, 09:47 AM

I'd say you probably have a good bandsaw. I'm not a big fan of today's Craftsman tools, but have a radial arm that I bought new in the 60's that just keeps going. A couple of years after I bought mine they did a "redesign" and replaced much metal with plastic. Enjoy it, but be safe!

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #4 09-22-2007, 10:26 AM

I bet, it being 40 years old that its a good saw...put some new tires on it and a "wolf" brand blade from suffolk machinery! As for a fence, I have seen several in wood magazines over the years but can't remember which or when? but I would think a google search would bring up several!

Arnold Smith · #5 09-22-2007, 11:29 AM

I have a craftsman I bought in the early seventies and it still works good. Still has all original parts and it has been well used.

Arnold

stickman · #6 09-22-2007, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the replies

brian,thanks I think I might try to price some and then find out I'm to cheap and make one.

bob, I hope your right .

Hi Ho sliver, by tires I guess you mean the guide wheels and such?and whats up with wolf blades it seems like everybody gives them high marks.I just checked and I also have three packeges of craftsman blade .Unless these have some problems I think I will wait on the wolf blades until these are trashed. although new guide wheels might be a good idea!

Arnold, thanks thats what I like to hear!

tomarrow before the STEELERS game I plan on giving it a good test .Hopefully it will preform well and I won't lose any fingers!!

GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Bob_in_TN · #7 09-22-2007, 10:54 PM

Michael, the tires are the big rubber bands that are on the circumference of the wheels. They will become hard, sometimes crack with age, even if not used. You can just replace the tires, wheels usually last forever. The only other thing in that area are the bearings. Wolf blades are some of the best blades,JMHO!

Irish · #8 09-23-2007, 02:32 AM

I'm still using my Dad's old Craftsmans Bandsaw. I think his was around 60 or 65 ... ? It was used hard by him and is being used sort-of hard by me. It came with a base and is rock solid during the worst/heaviest cutting.

Dad epoxied a linolium tile to the table area on his so that the wood would glide more easily. He'd then added just a light coating of Johnson's Paste Wax to keep the glide smooth.

He had a handmade fence that came with the saw but I seldom use it. Usually I 'eye ball' in long cut. No matter how well I square up the fence, square up the board and square up me my saw band will pull slightly to one side. It doesn't buckle or bow ... it just pulls slightly - twists? ... so I end up needing to adjust the fence to that slight angle if I want a long straight cut.

It's not much of a twist, probably not even a half a degree. But over a long cut of 3 or more feet I end up with one end 1/8" off.

The only problem I have ever had with my craftsman was when I found the snake skin inside the wheels while I was cleaning out the dust. So, the dust cover is not quite as secure as I would like

Have fun with your bandsaw, mine is my favorite toy in the shop.

Susan

stickman · #9 09-23-2007, 05:56 AM

Susan,thanks I think this will be one of my favorites also .any time you get a tool you have been wanting for a while it becomes your favorite at least for a little while.

linoleum epoxied to the table that's the first time I heard of that but it probably worked well. Espicaly for heavier /bigger pieces.But I don't think I could bring myself to do it.

stickman · #10 09-23-2007, 06:07 AM

Bob thanks for clearing up the tire thing for me. surprising the tires looked to be in good condition .although they had a bit of dust on them I wiped them down (kind of quickly and not to good ) I was in to much of a hurry to get the saw up in running .maybe the next time I change the blade I will take a closer look and try to clean them better.

is there any way to check the bearings?I would think it would start making a squealing noise or something.

I just got to say it very nice to talk to everybody so knowledgeable you guys are the greatest.